The UAB Breast Health Center is a leader in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and research. With a multi-team approach to caring for patients battling breast cancer, the UAB Breast Health Center provides state-of-the-art treatment options and follow-up care.

Our Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic provides access to a team of dedicated specialists, including a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist and radiologist, all working to give you the best treatment possible. You will also have access to physical therapy, plastic surgery and pathology. We provide patient support services aimed at not only treating, but educating and comforting you through your care.

The Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic lets patients and their families meet with our team of specialists all at once, rather than spreading the meetings out over an eight to 12 week period. This eliminates some of the stress involved in cancer treatment for new patients. In addition, we offer support services, including turnaround mammography and pathology appraisals, as well as counselors and nutritionists.

The Lynne Cohen Preventative Care Program for Women’s Cancers at UAB “Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment Clinic” is dedicated to breast cancer prevention through genetic assessment, counseling, preventative interventions and clinical trials. A team of experts will give you recommendations on how to reduce your risk for breast cancer. This clinic is the only one of its kind in the Southeast.

Our Services

• Risk assessments, evaluation and screenings
• Mammography, MRI, Serum-based test all in first hour of visit
• Genetic counselor to provide formal genetic risk assessment
• Same-day confirmation of diagnosis, diagnostic mammography and ultrasound

Our Team of Experts
The Breast Health Center has a team of physicians with a strong passion for breast cancer and the patients it touches. Because our physicians are breast cancer specialists in oncology, hematology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology, you can rest assured you’re receiving the best care available. We work with specialists in other areas of care when necessary to give you a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Search our physician directory to learn more about our team.

Locations
The Kirklin Clinic 3rd Floor
2000 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233

Breast Health Center (205) 801-8266 or 1-800-333-6543
Lynne Cohen Preventative Care Program for Women’s Cancers at UAB (205) 934-5778 or 1-866-494-5778

Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Symptoms and Signs
The following are the most common symptoms of breast cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain and may cause no symptoms at all. And, approximately 10 percent of breast cancer patients have no pain or lumps, or other indications of a problem with their breasts.

As the cancer grows, however, it can cause changes that women and men should watch for, such as:

• a lump or thickening (a mass, swelling, skin irritation, or distortion) in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• a change in the size or shape of the breast
• a change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple (dimpled, puckered, or scaly)
• nipple discharge, erosion, inversion, or tenderness

A woman (or man) should consult a physician when any of these changes are noticed.

Diagnosis and Treatment
What are the different types of breast cancer?
There are several types of breast cancer, including:

• The most common type begins in the lining of the ducts and is called ductal carcinoma.
• Another common type, called lobular carcinoma, occurs in the lobules.

When breast cancer metastasizes, or spreads outside the breast, cancer cells are often found in the lymph nodes under the arm. If the cancer has reached these nodes, it may mean that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer that spreads is the same disease and has the same name as the original, or primary cancer. When breast cancer spreads, it is called metastatic breast cancer, even though the secondary tumor is in another organ. This may also be called "distant" disease.

Our Clinical Trials
UAB’s Breast Health Center is constantly working to find better treatments and a cure for breast cancer. Talk to your doctor to see if you are a candidate for one of UAB’s breast cancer clinical trials.